Paper Details

%T A Process\-Oriented Architecture for Complex System Modelling
%A Carl G. Ritson, Peter H. Welch
%E Alistair A. McEwan, Steve Schneider, Wilson Ifill, Peter H. Welch
%B Communicating Process Architectures 2007
%X A fine\-grained massively\-parallel process\-oriented model
   of platelets (potentially artificial) within a blood vessel
   is presented. This is a CSP inspired design, expressed and
   implemented using the occam\-pi language. It is part of the
   TUNA pilot study on nanite assemblers at the universities
   of York, Surrey and Kent. The aim for this model is to
   engineer emergent behaviour fromthe platelets, such that
   they respond to a wound in the blood vessel wall in a way
   similar to that found in the human body &\[sh]8211;
   i.e. the formation of clots to stem blood flow from the
   wound and facilitate healing. An architecture for a three
   dimensional model (relying strongly on the dynamic
   and mobile capabilities of occam\-pi) is given, along with
   mechanisms for visualisation and interaction. The
   biological accuracy of the current model is very
   approximate. However, its process\-oriented nature enables
   simple refinement (through the addition of processes
   modelling different stimulants/inhibitors of the clotting
   reaction, different platelet types and other participating
   organelles) to greater and greater realism. Even with the
   current system, simple experiments are possible and have
   scientific interest (e.g. the effect of platelet density on
   the success of the clotting mechanism in stemming blood
   flow: too high or too low and the process fails). General
   principles for the design of large and complex system
   models are drawn. The described case study runs to millions
   of processes engaged in ever\-changing communication
   topologies. It is free from deadlock, livelock, race
   hazards and starvation by design, employing a small set of
   synchronisation patterns for which we have proven safety
   theorems.

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